TheNorthSideWhiteGuy

Hey guys,
I throwing together a swap for my '84 Monte Carlo SS & I'm trying to choose a transmission. My original plan was to put in the 6.0L LQ4 & a 700R4 trans that I had sitting around. Come to find out, that 700 has a cracked bellhousing. So I have someone offering to sell me an 80E for $400 with low mileage. My only concern about that is how much they weigh. I'm going off memory, but I remember the 80E being quite a bit heavier than say a 60E. And I remember the torque converter being heavier too.

Part of the reason I'm being weight conscious is because I'm going to run the iron bottom end from the LQ4 which is already a 85lb. gain from the aluminum blocks. I have another 700R4 but it needs an overhaul. So what would you guys go with, the low mileage 80E, find a low mileage 60E, or overhaul my other 700, & why?

Thanks in advance for any opinions.

~Ryan

98hc4mula

iTrader: (5)

I would do the 80E. Throw a shift kit in there and its pretty stout unit. I Just recently installed one on my bird and it was not that heavier than a 60E. probably like 30-40 lbs
and can stand much more abuse.....

forcd ind

iTrader: (7)

remember your gonna need a computer to run the 4l80e, not the 700r4, so there is additional $$$, and yes, if you use the stock converter, they are heavy
if you didnt want od, the 350 or 400 would be ok
i have the cast iron 6.0 block and 4l80e in my chevelle, love it, dont really notice the weight, but its a street car, so the weight doesnt matter anyway

TheNorthSideWhiteGuy

Avoiding the additional wiring was the main reason I was going with the 700R4 in the first place. But I guess it's not going to add that much more wiring than I already need switching over to the LQ4 from a carb'd 305ci. anyways. How spendy would a lighter TC be? And how strong can a built 60E be?

sparkwirez06

iTrader: (18)

go with the 80e, get smaller converter, you need the computer to run the engine anyhow, small amount of wiring is required, it has OD that will save you gas.

usmcz28

iTrader: (3)

Get the 4L80E you *****!

TheNorthSideWhiteGuy

Dammit Rick, I just signed up here. These guys haven't had a chance to figure out how big of a ***** I am.

jaycenk

iTrader: (1)

4l80E. Do it once and you may never have to pull it again. I have pulled my 4l60-e or Electric 700, 8 times in the past 2 years. Broken sunshells, plants, input shaft, ect. You name it... I probably broke it, tord it the fruk up, smashed it, slammed it,ect. By the way stay a way from monster transmission. I need to learn to build them my self. Even I can build a trans that will last longer than 3k miles. And yes thats the longest one of thiers has lived for me. lol

forcd ind

iTrader: (7)

ok, im in the carb mode, which is what i run on my 6.0
if your gonna run the 6.0 with a computer (FI) i would get a comp ECU/harness, cut out what you dont need, it could run everything
dont forget you would need to hook up the TV cable on the FI, but i think Street & Perf might have a bracket-are you gonna use the truck FI (tall) or LS6 intake
a lot of guys have run the 200r4 trans, another option

71ANTICARB

iTrader: (23)

I think it depends on your goals and intended use. If its gonna be a primarily a drag car I would do a TH350 or TH400 (minimal wiring and strong as hell and cheap but no OD) if its gonna be more street strip I would go with the 80 (OD and strong but more wiring). Based on my experience with the 700 and 60e if you are putting down more than 300rwhp and doing any drag racing its not gonna last.

slow67

iTrader: (2)

80E is only about ~35lbs heavier than a 60E. Biggest difference when people "compare" weight, is the stock 80E converter is MUCH heavier than the stock 60E converter, but when they both have smaller converters, they weigh very close to each other.

FastKat

iTrader: (10)

If you like to beat on your car and/or drive it aggressively, go with the 4L80E if you have the room. It will take the abuse and give you peace of mind when you're driving hard.

usmcz28

iTrader: (3)

I'm unsure of how much Shenanigans this place allows. I'll dress nice and throw on the rich white man accent for here.

Photochop

iTrader: (74)

What he said, the weight difference is minimal with a performance converter. Its worth the swap or sure.

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

The big issue is that either the 700r4, 4L60, 4L60e are ALL cut from the same cloth and all have severe limitations. IF You need O/D but want to handle the power go for the 4L80e with out a doubt.

IF you do not care bout the O/D then TH400.

slow67

iTrader: (2)

If you ever compare the internals in person, you'll wonder how in the hell people get these to hold up to 600RWHP (for a short time), let alone 500hp.

thatguy383

iTrader: (1)

this is what would deter me.

TheNorthSideWhiteGuy

Well, it will see almost nothing but street use. I actually have a build TH400 sitting around, but I want the OD. The main thing that stuck with me the one time I worked with an 80E was the weight of that converter.

So where should I look for a lighter performance converter for the 80E?

Oh, and my plans for the LQ4 that I'm throwing in will involve a turbo or supercharger in the near future.

TheNorthSideWhiteGuy

Yeah, it'll be a while before I start bringing up the sexual relations I've had with their mothers.

GMCtrk

iTrader: (23)

There's more than just added weight, there's added parasitic loss as well. And the 2.48 first gear changes everything coming out of the hole at the track compared to the 3.06 of, say a 4l60. Just some things to consider.